Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

The first time I made Instant Pot Salsa Chicken, it was a Thursday evening after a particularly exhausting workday. With zero energy to cook an elaborate meal but a family to feed, I tossed chicken breasts, salsa, and a few other ingredients into my trusty Instant Pot, pressed a button, and walked away. Twenty minutes later, the kitchen filled with the mouthwatering aroma of Mexican-spiced chicken. That night, we enjoyed delicious tacos with minimal effort, and I discovered what would become our family’s go-to weeknight recipe.

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This versatile shredded chicken is perfect for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, casseroles, salads, or anywhere else you need flavorful, tender chicken. Best of all, it requires just 5 ingredients and minimal hands-on time. This recipe is gluten-free, and you can serve it with fresh tortillas, tomatoes, shredded cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and fresh cilantro for quick and easy tacos.

What You’ll Need

Equipment

• Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker
• Mixing bowl (for shredding)
• Two forks or stand mixer (for shredding)
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil – Creates a base for sautéing and prevents the onions and garlic from sticking to the pot
• Onion – Provides aromatic flavor and natural sweetness that enhances the depth of the dish
• Garlic – Adds pungent, savory notes that complement the chicken and salsa
• Skinless and boneless chicken breasts – The main protein that becomes tender and shreddable after pressure cooking
• Salsa – Provides flavor, moisture, acidity, and seasoning in one convenient ingredient

How to make Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

1. Set the Instant Pot to sauté and add vegetable oil.
2. When the oil is hot, sprinkle the onions and sauté until almost translucent, then add the garlic.

3. Add chicken breast and pour salsa into the pot. Place the lid on the pot.

4. Cook on high on the manual setting for 20 minutes.
5. Perform a quick release on the Instant Pot.
6. Remove chicken and shred.

Slow Cooker Alternative

Don’t have an Instant Pot? No problem! This recipe works beautifully in a crock pot too:

1. Sauté the onion and garlic in a skillet.
2. Transfer to your slow cooker along with the chicken and salsa.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours until the chicken shreds easily.

Mastering the Art of Pulled Chicken

The secret to this recipe’s versatility is properly shredding (or “pulling”) the chicken. Here’s how to get it right:

Key Principles for Perfect Pulled Chicken

• Temperature matters: Shred the chicken while it’s still warm but not piping hot—this makes the process much easier.
• Contain the mess: Work in a large bowl to clean your kitchen. Food-safe gloves can be helpful here.
• Cool properly before storing: Spread the shredded chicken on a cold baking sheet and stir occasionally to help it cool faster.

Three Shredding Methods

1. Hand Method

• Hold the chicken with meat fibers vertical
• Use your fingers to pull and separate along these fibers
• Quick but creates thicker shreds

2. Two-Fork Method

• Place chicken on a cutting board
• Use the tines of two forks to pull the meat apart
• Creates medium-fine shreds with good texture

3. Stand Mixer Method

• Place up to four chicken breasts in your stand mixer bowl
• Use the paddle attachment on low speed for 30-60 seconds
• Perfect for large batches and creates very fine, even shreds

Tips For serving and storing Instant Pot salsa chicken

• Perfect for more than Southwest-inspired dishes. Try it on top of a salad or as a filling for an omelet.
• Serve the shredded chicken on nachos, with tortillas for tacos, or make tasty burrito bowls with it.
• You don’t have to use boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. You can use pieces of chicken like chicken thighs. Just be sure to remove any chicken bones before cooking.
• Salsa chicken stores well in the fridge for up to four days. Keep in the freezer for up to four months.

More Instant Pot Recipes

• Instant Pot Irish Stew
• Easy Pulled Pork Recipe
• Instant Pot Italian Sausage
• How to Cook Dried Black Beans

Favorite Mexican Recipes

• Chili’s Salsa
• Cilantro Rice
• Roasted Salsa Recipe
• Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe
• Jiffy Mexican Cornbread
• Chile Relleno Casserole Recipe
• White Cheese Dip Recipe
• Taco Spaghetti Bake
• How to Make Chipotle Corn Salsa

Check out my easy Instant Pot Recipes and the best Mexican food recipes here on CopyKat.com!

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